Norman Lear, the legendary White Hollywood power broker who was brilliant and bold enough to create the classic Black sitcoms in the 1970s like “Sanford & Son,” “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times” has died. He was 101.
The producer, TV show creator and filmmaker, who also started up a plethora of iconic shows and films such as “All in the Family,” “Maude,” The Princess Bride and Fried Green Tomatoes, died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles.
“Norman lived a life of curiosity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all,” his family said in a statement obtained by CNN. “He began his career in the earliest days of live television and discovered a passion for writing about the real lives of Americans, not a glossy ideal. At first, his ideas were met with closed doors and misunderstanding. However, he stuck to his conviction that the ‘foolishness of the human condition’ made great television, and eventually he was heard.”
Lear’s unparalleled and transcendent gift was coalescing comedy with hard-hitting social commentary that often jarred popular culture but made his TV shows addictive. Beginning in 1971 with “All in the Family,” Lear was fearless in showcasing and attacking racism, sexism and social inequities at a time when few people had the fortitude to try.
His humanity and fearlessness are just a few of the intangibles that endeared Lear to people like Rob Reiner, one of the stars of “All in the Family.” Reiner went on to direct a bevy of classic films like The Wolf of Wall Street, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and Misery.
“I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. Sending my love to Lyn and the whole Lear family,” Reiner in a statement on X.
Many people, including Black baby boomers who saw themselves on TV for the first time, share Reiner’s heartfelt sentiments.
He was a giant. Can't think of anyone who influenced TV more. We still feel it.
— Shadowy Cabal Enthusiast 🇺🇦 (@TheChandlerDude) December 6, 2023
Sorry for your loss Rob, but what an incredible life lived. We should all be so fortunate….🙏
— Joey (@JoeyTriEnergy) December 6, 2023
